Repco has bought Rare Spares.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It's so stupid they can't get workers, but aren't prepared to pay them a decent wage to attract them. And they probably wonder why no one will work for them

Unfortunately I reckon it's a symptom of the overheads involved in having an automotive shop as well as the value society places on LV auto trades.

Think of all the overheads, diagnostic scanners alone, their buy price and their ongoing yearly licensing fees are crazy, then you need to have multiples of the bastards because they all do some cars better than others

Then somewhere in the middle of those two is the ever shrinking margins workshops are making on parts, more customers providing their own and their suppliers more than happy to sell to everyone.

The industry is just a bit of a crap shoot unfortunately but I do enjoy helping find solutions to people's problems and I get to talk to people about cars all day and get paid for it

You've gotta be passionate to put up with the downsides, if you ever start losing that passion than your time is up.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Unfortunately I reckon it's a symptom of the overheads involved in having an automotive shop as well as the value society places on LV auto trades.

Think of all the overheads, diagnostic scanners alone, their buy price and their ongoing yearly licensing fees are crazy, then you need to have multiples of the bastards because they all do some cars better than others

Then somewhere in the middle of those two is the ever shrinking margins workshops are making on parts, more customers providing their own and their suppliers more than happy to sell to everyone.

The industry is just a bit of a crap shoot unfortunately but I do enjoy helping find solutions to people's problems and I get to talk to people about cars all day and get paid for it

You've gotta be passionate to put up with the downsides, if you ever start losing that passion than your time is up.

Perfectly summarised Franco.

I owned & ran a workshop for over 40 years & at its peak employed 7 people. Those days are long gone & currently it's very hard to make a $ repairing cars at all.

Overheads are the biggest drama, rent (or mortgage), equipment, Govt & local council fees, scanners (as you've described), not forgetting small things like wages & tools. If you ran it like it should be, labour rates would be closer to $200 per hour, but owners of your average runaround, wouldn't pay that in a fit. Having said that, some Euro garages in Sydney do have rates approaching that figure & the proprietor actually makes a decent wage.

Have a look at other trades, a plumber for example. He doesn't need a $3,000-$4,000 per month premises with expensive scanners & hoists etc. He needs a ute & some hand tools & can earn a much better wage than a mechanic, with arguably less skill or knowledge (now I've started something !!).

These days I am a reseller & I use the old workshop to store my cars & projects, sort of a man cave !!

Dr Terry

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

No, but close by

The Men's Gallery?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

The Men's Gallery?

I'm more of a Centrefold Lounge man,

I come across some of my customers in there once which was pretty funny, also the networking opportunities with sales reps across all industries in the smoking area there is immense, I've exchanged business cards a few times in that place and I've never smoked in my life

Always have your own business cards on you! Where's there's women missing clothes there's men and where's there's men there is automotive and industrial industry employees, managers and business owners.

I've got a professional relationship built on that place with one of my customers.

#FrancoTips

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'm more of a Centrefold Lounge man,

I've got a professional relationship built on that place with one of my customers.

#FrancoTips

'Brunswick and Footiscray'?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aTO6Iv4f3A

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'm more of a Centrefold Lounge man,

I come across some of my customers in there once which was pretty funny, also the networking opportunities with sales reps across all industries in the smoking area there is immense, I've exchanged business cards a few times in that place and I've never smoked in my life

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

Does it make it better if it's 2AM on a Wednesday and we're all supposed to be at work later that morning because that's what happened.

'Relationship building' - key part of my role, probably a little unorthodox in my methodology but it works, as soon as I saw them in there as well my eyes lit up, we've got an in with a conversation starter to laugh about

If the bar let's you down by closing, King Street's warm welcoming glow of low frequency sounds, angry bouncers and low rent individuals welcomes you with open arms - Melbourne CBD COVID recovery needs all the help it can get and those businesses need love too

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

Have a look at other trades, a plumber for example. He doesn't need a $3,000-$4,000 per month premises with expensive scanners & hoists etc. He needs a ute & some hand tools & can earn a much better wage than a mechanic, with arguably less skill or knowledge (now I've started something !!).

Dr Terry

We will let that one slide.